Knowing that I had a couple of long trips coming up, I wanted to get started on a sweater that would be relatively mindless, and I wanted it to be with yarn I already had in my stash.
So what did I do?
I cast on for not one, but two sweaters.
This one is Drops 79-11, which I’m making in Garnstudio Merino ExtraFine, in a light heathered brown:
And this one is Ingenue, from Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard. I’m using O-Wool Classic in Slate blue:
I thought I only had 5 skeins of this yarn, and was going to start a different cardigan with short sleeves. But then I remembered that I had gone back and gotten an extra skein that I hadn’t entered in Ravelry, and I really had 6 skeins. That was way too much for the other cardigan, but I thought it would probably work for this. The O-Wool Classic is about the same weight and has the same gauge information as the yarn used in the book (Karabella Marble), but it’s 100% merino instead of 55% wool, 45% alpaca. I knew that meant it wouldn’t be as drapey, but I thought I’d try it anyway.
Although I could get the gauge listed for the pattern (18 st = 4″), I didn’t really like how it looked, so I’m using needles that give me 17 sts instead. I didn’t realize until I started the pattern that the collar is double fabric – it’s knit twice the size, then folded over to the inside and stitched in place. Yikes! With this weight of yarn, that’s a pretty darn thick collar, though I’m sure it would have to be in the Karabella, too.
I’m a little nervous about the size of the collar and the heaviness of it, but when I get it knitted to the armpits, I’ll probably give it a bath and see how it looks after it’s softened up a bit. I’m not sure how well I’ll like this neckline on me. I don’t have Audrey Hepburn’s beautiful swan-like neck.
The collar also ate up yarn like crazy. It took nearly a full skein! Hopefully there’s enough to finish.
If it doesn’t work out, though, I’ll just frog it and go back to the cardigan I was going to make in the first place.
Of course, after getting these two projects started, I realized that I probably wouldn’t be taking either one of them on my trips, because they’ll take up too much room (especially for the motorcycle trip). So I guess I’ll be doing lace. Maybe I’ll finally get Wisp finished.
CabledSheep 
*snort* The best laid plans or something like that?
Well, the extra thick collar could be helpful on a cool weather bike ride?
I didn’t know you were a biker chick! Hee!
At least travel will slow down your sweater mania. Better take something easier than lace along, too. You’d better start a scarf or sock.
The beginnings both look very pretty – I really like the Ingenue sweater but I wonder if I’d be yanking it and adjusting it constantly if I actually tried to wear it.
Hmmmmmmmmm…but I know you’ll come up with the right modification for the neck, or whatever else. You’ve got the mojo!
Apparently, then, I am related to you. This sounds like exactly the scenario that would occur at my end. And then I’d wind up taking socks. š
I like the idea of doing the Ingenue in wool. Althogh I love alpaca, wool would be warmer in autumn and winter months. You are a very talented knitter, and I think that maybe the folded neckline could be an opportunity for you to create your own neckline maybe? Just a thought. š
LOL – and neither of these sound particularly mindless. Might I suggest socks?!
Oooh, pretty. I hope Ingenue works out!
Sounds normal to me. ;^)
Pack socks as a back up to the lace. Just in case you need something completely mindless to knit on.
None of those choices sound mindless but it all sounds completely normal.
The doubled collar sounds warm.
I’m going to jump on the bandwagon and suggest socks for your road trip – a nice, plain pair. ;op
Lovely knitting lately! (I’m like a month behind on blogs so I just skimmed you…hope you don’t mind, hehe)
Heh, cast on two and don’t take either one–that SO sounds like something I would do!